The Eagle of Eastern Europe

Building an army and building buildings require money. Although Peter had a small amount of capital, it was still not enough. (Not enough refers to an annual income of at least three hundred thousand Venetian ducats)

So, increasing income becomes another important thing. The Chamber of Commerce and the newly formed Ross Corporation were his cornucopia.

The Rus Company took over the trading post in the Crimea and expanded its territory again from the Duchy of Theodorus. (Because in the same year, warlords looted the Principality of Theodoro and ran out of money)

The Rus Company began to set up trading stations in Kaffa and Kiev to conduct local trade. It imported slaves, fish, and wood, and exported handicrafts such as linen and silk.

The company adopted the Genoa-Venice model, with trading stations and churches responsible for consolidating trade routes and expanding the basis of rule. in order to gain absolute control over the local area.

Venice was the teacher of colonization, and the Ross Company applied here their model of governance in Crete and Cyprus. But it is relatively friendly to the local people and is accompanied by the spread of religious culture.

Wallachia's behavior of grabbing money in the Black Sea and Rus regions caused extreme dissatisfaction in Genoa. Although the other party repeatedly assured that this was normal business competition, Genoa decided to teach him a lesson.

"My lord, this is the document submitted to us by the Republic of Genoa."

Peter took it and took a look, and the content inside immediately amused him. It mentioned a five-year suspension of shipments of some Wallachian goods and the imposition of high tariffs on the remaining goods.

This is just too much fun. We are just a small country. Why is Genoa so narrow-minded?

"Didn't the people from the Chamber of Commerce explain it to them?"

"It was explained, but they didn't listen."

You can't blame him now. If they don't listen to his explanation, then they can only do it face to face.

"Sir, the Chamber of Commerce's route in the Black Sea has just been established. Without Genoa's help, I'm afraid..."

Of course Peter knows Genoa's power in the Black Sea, but now that he cannot persuade the other party to lift the sanctions, Wallachia can only go it alone.

Fortunately, in the past two years, Wallachia has established commercial offices and routes throughout the Black Sea. With the support of the Archduke, trade can continue even without Genoa. Genoa is the springboard for the Chamber of Commerce, but there is too little time. Just five or six years will be enough.

Then Peter started asking other questions.

"The guy in Crimea hasn't let go yet?"

"Yes, 100,000 ducats, not one less."

Peter stopped writing and fell into deep thought.

"100,000, it would be worth this if it hadn't been burned by others, but now, it's at most 50,000. No, 50,000 is probably too much."

Peter made it very clear that the Principality of Theodorus was not worth 100,000. Up to fifty thousand gold coins.

As the last Orthodox state in Crimea, Peter planned to completely annex this small principality. And turned this place into a forward position for the invasion of Ukraine. At the same time, it also competed with Kaffa under the control of Genoa, striving to get the other party to transfer this place.

"How's the situation over there in Nish?"

"There have been a lot of refugees from all over the world in the past few months. Some people have settled in Nis, while others have gone to Vidin and other places."

"Tell local governments that if they settle down, whether they farm or do anything else, they will be tax-free for two years."

Don’t the refugees created by the Serbian war have to wait for the New Year? They are all ready-made labor force.

Moreover, Peter got the news that Brankovich had received the support of Osman, and he would definitely repay his master with more tribute and population.

"Poor Serbia. They were the hegemons of the Balkans a few decades ago, but now they are acting as a vanguard for the infidels. It's really an unpredictable world."

Nicholas heard Peter's words and thought he felt sorry for the empire, so he spoke out.

"Dozens of countries will rise and fall through their rise and fall. You don't need to feel too sorry."

Peter looked at him, and that look made Nicholas feel a little scared.

"Yeah, nothing to regret."

Peter stopped talking about this and turned to the governance of Bulgaria.

Dobroga's bureaucracy should be the most complete. Peter established three directors of finance, civil affairs, and military affairs, and later added directors of commerce and agriculture. These departments are personally appointed and removed by Peter, and a supervisory department is also set up to do their best to keep the system running well.

Although this is different from playing a game, the subject is still the same. Transform hereditary bureaucracy into appointed bureaucracies to improve administrative efficiency and strengthen centralization.

Select appointments from universities and nobles to break the aristocratic monopoly. Only in this way can the country develop healthily.

The Eastern Roman Empire has learned too many lessons. The emergence of warlords, aristocratic privileges, and economic decline were all caused by a system that never changed. Michael VIII, the founder of the Palaeolian dynasty, restored the old management system of the Byzantine Empire, but did not dare to correct its flaws. By issuing cheap silver coins he hastened the decline of commerce. In order to rehabilitate Constantinople and defend the empire's European provinces, Michael VIII weakened the troops on the Anatolian front, having to cut their salaries and remove their tax exemptions. This policy led to the gradual collapse of this front.

Therefore, before the nobles threaten the government, it is the last resort to work hard to strengthen centralization.

After recruiting Petkov, Peter created a new position: spymaster.

Peter gave him a task, not only in the country, but also in the Ottomans, Castles, Hungary, Serbia, and even Bohemia, Italy, Britain, and France. There were spies in Wallachia. Of course, these won't be achieved overnight. Let's practice in Hungary and the Ottomans first. And gave some funds.

Petkov's ability was indeed good. He selected a group of loyal people from prisoners and orphans as spies and trained them day and night. Those who are qualified should be sent to other places to inquire about information, and every effort should be made to enter the center.

And among this group of people who trained, there were also some prostitutes. They are responsible for inquiring about useful information in the market, and it is best to be noticed by a noble, so that they can take further action.